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Sunny Shao
My research focuses on mass behavior in Asian American politics. As the associate researcher at AAPI Data and Center for Social Innovation I have designed, programmed, and managed both quantitative and qualitative research projects. I am experienced in collaboration with various stakeholders and am familiar with every aspect of research projects.
Education
PhD. Candidate, Political Science
University of California
Riverside, CA
September 2016 - April 2021
- Asian American Ethnic Politics & Social Media Study
- [Dissertation] From Netizen to Citizen: Rethinking Asian American Political Mobilization
M.S., Public Policy
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
September 2013 - June 2015
- Focused on economics and local governance
B.A., International Communications
Nottingham University
Ningbo, China
September 2009 - June 2013
- Focused on communication theory and public spheres on social media platforms
Research Experience
Researcher & Center Associate
Center for Social Innovation (UCR)
Riverside, CA
June 2018 - Current
- Effectively communicate compelling data-driven narrative and explain work, process, and decisions to cross-functional stakeholders
- Collaborate with other researchers, staff, project managers, organizations and government agencies to ensure research is coordinated into every aspect of the process
- Manage both qualitative and quantitative research projects using Jira, Slack, and Basecamp
Researcher
AAPI Data
Riverside, CA
March 2017 - Current
- Experienced in both qualitative and quantitative research such as focused group studies, interviews, and survey experiments
- Build and maintain 1000+ of infographics, spatial data visualization, and data dashboard for both print and cloud-based products
- Design, plan and lead 100+ Asian American research projects from start to finish
Summer Fellow
Education Pioneer
Los Angeles, CA
June 2016 - August 2016
- Interviewed key stakeholders using in-person interviews and survey questionnaires to collect key concerns and challenges from teachers, students, principals, and program coordinators
- Presented the final report to the School Board and successfully renewed the annual $500k budget to the programs
- Designed research protocols and design principles for future program evaluations
Data Analyst Intern
SmartAnalyst
Gurgaon, India
June 2012 - August 2012
- Interviewed thoracic oncologists in Japan and China for pharmaceutical clients, who are on phase II trials of non-small cell lung cancer drugs
- Translated three-way phone meetings between client, SmartAnalyst and Chinese thoracic oncologists
- Crowdsourced a list of thoracic oncologists through medical journals
Survey Projects & Focus Group Study
Focus Group Study - California Low Propensity Voter Engagement
Center for Social Innovation
N/A
July 2020 - August 2020
- Lead Researcher & Chinese Focus Group Moderator
Quantitative Research - Asian American Voter Survey
AAPI Data, APIAVote & AAAJC
N/A
October 2018 - August 2020
- Lead Researcher
Mix Method Survey - Inland Empire Non-profit/Civic Engagement
Center for Social Innovation
N/A
April 2019 - July 2020
- Lead Researcher
Qualitative Research - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Visibility Survey
AAPI Data
N/A
May 2018
- Lead Researcher
Quantitatie Research - 2016 National Asian American Survey
AAPI Data
N/A
March 2017 - May 2017
- Researcher
Data Tools Development
Research Reports
Reaching Low-Propensity Voters in California’s November 2020 Elections: Recommendations from focus group research and community partner engagement
California Common Cause & Center for Social Innovation
N/A
August 2020
Untapped Power: The Strength of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Working People
APALA & AAPI Data
N/A
November 2019
Blogpost Writting
Understanding the Struggles of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Authored with Dr. Janelle Wong & Dr. Karthick Ramakrishnan
N/A
November 2019
Here’s what you need to know about AAPIs running for Congress in 2018
Authored with Dr. Sono Shah
N/A
October 2018
Record Gains in AAPI Voting Likely to Continue Through 2020
Authored with Dr. Sono Shah & Dr. Karthick Ramakrishnan
N/A
September 2018
Teaching & Workshop Experience
ArcGIS Lab
Center for Social Innovation
Riverside, CA
August 2020 - current
Analyzing ACS data with tidyverse and tidycensus R packages
Center for Social Innovation
Riverside, CA
March 2020 - July 2020
Infographic Design with Adobe illustrator
AAPI Data
Riverside, CA
May 2019
Data Narrative Action (DNA): Data Visualization & Cesus Factfinder Tools
Social Innovation Institute
Riverside, CA
July 2018
Applied Econometrics & Microeconomics
School of Public Policy, Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
September 2014 - June 2015
Selected Presentations & Invited Talks
Census Outreach and the Continuum of Civic Engagement
Politics of Race, Immigration, and Ethnicity Consortium
Riverside, CA
December 2019
How Perception of living experiences shape political enagement of Immigrants?
Politics of Race, Immigration, and Ethnicity Consortium
Irvine, CA
March 2017
2020 Census and Beyond: New Tool for AAPI Census Efforts
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy
Virtual
July 2020
2018 and Beyond: Data, Narrative, and Action
Advancing Justice Conference
Atlanta, GA
March 2019
Resources for Engaging in the Debate Over Data Disaggregation
Association of Asian American Studies
San Francisco, CA
June 2018
Key Patterns and Trends Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Chinese American Demographics & Political Engagement
National Conference of State Legislators
Los Angeles, CA
May 2018
Should Federal Government Mandate Vaccination for Children
RAND LA Policy Symposium
Santa Monica, CA
January 2015
Selected Press
Chinese American Trump fans raise election recount funds on WeChat: New fundraising arm preps for comeback, quietly steers some donations to debts
Nikkei Asia
N/A
November 2020
US Election Special III: Election results update, Chinese Americans’ voters in NYC
RTHK 31 Cable Network
N/A
June 2020
Grants and Awards
Coulter Foundation GSA Grant
N/A
N/A
March 2017 - current
Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society
N/A
Malibu, CA
May 2015 - current
2020 Rstudio conference Diversity Scholarship
N/A
San Francisco, CA
February 2020
UCR Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship
N/A
Riverside, CA
September 2016 - June 2017
Pepperdine Graduate School Scholarship Award
N/A
Malibu, CA
September 2013 - June 2015
Pepperdine Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship
N/A
Malibu, CA
June 2014 - September 2014